The harbour bridge was built between St Marys Bay and Northcote Point because it was the narrowest stretch of water between the two pieces of land.

It was also beyond the Auckland Wharf area so it would be out of the way of the huge ships that come into the wharf with goods and people.

The Auckland Harbour Bridge was opened on 30th of May 1959 and it took over 200 workers around 4 years to build. It was made with 6500 tonnes of concrete and nearly 6000 tonnes of steel.

When the bridge was first built it only had four lanes but after a few years they needed to make the bridge bigger to cope with all the traffic so they added two lanes to each side. The new lanes were called “clippons” because they were made in Japan, shipped to New Zealand on huge ships and then clipped into place with huge steel pins and rods. That is where the name Nippon Clippons came from.

The Auckland Harbour Bridge cost 16 million dollars to build over 50 years ago! The clippons were another 13.5 million dollars.

It was too small when it was first built. It was too small even when the Nippon Clippons were attached. So, all these years later, it is definitely TOO SMALL now!!

hello Janice,
1373 views and no smileys and no complaints from you! Although my complaint was very tongue in cheek I still think it is mean that no one can be bothered to offer an opinion.
Here's mine, for what it is worth. The blue greys have a flat light, however that tiny touch of yellow on the vehicle is a happy contrast and helps lift the picture.
best regards,
Bev